4Play: James Blake, The Script, Edwyn Collins, The Dodos

James Blake - James Blake - UniversalBlakes unique, downtrodden take on dubstep may not be for everyone - orat least, not for those who dont appreciate a certain level ofpensiveness - but his skills at melding quietude with beats cant bedenied. The studied awkwardness of the piano on Give Me My Month, thestreet corner loneliness and abandoned penny organ sounds ofMeasurements, the 80s detachment of Lindisfarne II, and the clickyapathy of The Wilhelm Scream never pick up the pace to take the listeneranywhere at all, but that unmoving sadness is part of what makes thisalbum succeed - as long as the listener is in a very specific frame ofmind for the listen.

The Script - Science and Faith - EpicThe opposite end of the spectrum from Blake, we find Irish band TheScript, endlessly dynamic and constantly moving as they are. Thissophomore album is very much along the same vein of the debut set, writtenby the bands Danny ODonoghue and Mark Sheehan, and catchy numbers oneand all. The Scripts one failing is that they occasionally get a littletoo pop for their own good; tunes like Nothing become a little too boyband, while if they stuck with more introspective tracks like This =Love, If You Ever Come Back, and the science-vs-life title track,theyd showcase more of the smarts that are actually one of their manystrengths.

Edwyn Collins - Losing Sleep - Downtown RecordsThe long-shot return of Collins is a surprising one, both for fans ofCollins influential band, Orange Juice, and for the man himself.Sidelined for years by a brain hemorrhage, Collins fought for his music aswell as for his life, and this album is nothing short of reward. Kickingoff with the energetic title track - complete with a beat borrowed fromThe Jam/The Supremes - the whole set is a popcomplishment, from the breezyBritpop and broad sweeping guitars of Do It Again (co-written w/ FranzFerdinands Alex Kapranos) to the ratchety-guitard Johnny Marrcollaboration Come Tomorrow, Come Today. Cheers, Collins - welcome back.

The Dodos - No Color - FK RecordsThey might be working primarily with a guitar and snare drum, but TheDodos sound is pretty much a complete 180 from anything the White Stripeshave done. First indie-pop single Black Night is far more reminiscent ofIm From Barcelona (with only a solo lead vocal) or Death Cab for Cutie,with its machine-gun beat, softly spiky (how did they do that?) guitar,and sympathetic, melodic vocal line. Good reverses direction so manytimes youll feel like youre on a musical go-cart track (not a badthing); and a plethora of songs feature vocals from honorary temporarymember Neko Case, who adds her distinctive croon to the proceedings.